Two of the most notable free agency moves: quarterback Kirk Cousins leaving the Minnesota Vikings to sign with the Atlanta Falcons on a four-year, $180 deal and running back Saquon Barkley leaving the New York Giants to join the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year contract. – one year, $37.8 million contract – could soon have consequences.
Both signings could lead to draft losses after allegations of tampering surfaced. Cousins may have accidentally gotten involved during his introductory press conference, as players are not allowed to have direct contact with teams during the legal tampering period leading up to the start of the new year. championship.
“There are great people here,” Cousins said. “And it’s not just about the football team. I mean, I look at the support staff. Meeting – call, yesterday, call to our head athletic trainer, talk to our PR person, I think, we have good people here. And it’s exciting to be a part of it.
Barkley’s college head coach at Penn State, James Franklin, alluded to Barkley and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman speaking on the phone during the legal tampering period.
“For him to come back now and be able to play in state, in Philadelphia, he said that was one of the first things Howie told him on the phone as part of his sales pitch, it didn’t “It wasn’t just the Philadelphia Eagles and that, but obviously the connection to Penn State and the fan base as well,” Franklin said via ESPN.
According to an ESPN report released Monday, discipline is coming soon and the punishment will likely be harsher for the Falcons, given Cousins’ official statement. A few tampering penalties have been imposed over the past 10 years, with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs being the recipients of these consequences.
The Dolphins lost their 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton three times from 2019 to 2022. Owner Stephen Ross was fined $1.5 million dollars, and team vice president and sponsor Bruce Beal was convicted. a fine of $500,000.
Kansas City lost its 2016 third-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick for tampering with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in 2015. The Chiefs were fined $250,000, and head coach Andy Reid ($75,000) as well as then-general manager John Dorsey ($25,000) were also fined.